Kamala Das poems are famous among the women. Therefore, still her writing proves desire stirring in every poem loving women. Read why?
Indian writer, poet and failed politician Kamala Das (b. 31 March — d. 31 May 2009) was once Kamala Surayya. And most of her Malayalam writings by pen name, MadhaviKutty. Her most liked subjects in writing reckoning child education, political issues and labouring women related topics. Das was daughter of managing editor of widely newspaper, Matrubhumi (one of the famous Malayalam Daily) V. M. Nair and Poet Nalapat Balamani Amma. The Young soul of Kamala soon wrapped through the meaningful words breathes thousands of emotional and creative thoughts. At the very young age, Kamala swiftly acquired safest places for super vision under uncle Nelapat menon (7 Oct 1887 – 31 Oct 1954) who already had well settled within other well-known poets of India.
It is not queer to know specially in Kamala minded women. In the 60s, most of the women in Indian used to get married early. Das married to a banking professional Madhavan Das at the age of fifteen. However, her husband throughout her life not only became a good supporter but also one of the reasons of her inspiration in life. He motivated Kamala and insist focus on writing.
She was a notable Indian writer and poet for her many Malayalam short stories. Her first published work of poetry Summer in Calcutta (1965) has been considered a fresh celebrated gentle wind in poetry for that year.
Poetry does not sell in this country (India)
Kamala Das
Her second book, “The Descendant” (1967) guides women educationally about sexual urge that trick out easily to achieve the desire of any women. Das often caught in comparison with Marguerite Duras and Sylvia Plath. One of her books, “My Story” (1975) her autobiography had become the controversial stirred. Later Kamala admitted that her biography had fictional elements. However, many Indian readers admired the work.
I cannot think of any other Indian autobiography that so honestly captures a woman’s inner life in all its sad solitude, its desperate longing for real love and its desire for transcendence, its tumult of colours and its turbulent poetry
—K. Satchidanandan
Bilingual Kamala Das preferred to write poetry in English and other fictional work in Malayalam. She received many literary awards. Few of them are as listed below.
- Asian Poetry Award 1963
- Sahitya Akademi Award 1984
- Muttathu Varkey Award
- Kundra Sahitya Academy Award 1985
- Vayalar Award 1997
- Ezhuthachan Award 2009
One of the Kamala Das Poems: “The Looking Glass”
Getting a man to love you is easy
Only be honest about your wants as woman.
Stand nude before the glass with him
so that he sees himself the stronger one
And believes it so, and you so much more
Softer, younger, lovelier.
Admit your Admiration.
Notice the perfection Of his limbs,
his eyes reddening under the shower,
the shy walk across the bathroom floor,
dropping towels, and the jerky way he
Urinates.
All the fond details that make
him male and your only man.
Gift him all, gift him what makes you woman,
the scent of long hair, the musk of sweat between the breasts,
the warm shock of menstrual blood, and all yours
Endless female hungers.
Oh yes, getting a man to love is easy,
but living without him afterwards may have to be
Faced.
A living without life when you move around,
meeting strangers, with your eyes that gave up their search,
with ears that hear only his last voice calling out your name,
and your body which once under his touch had gleamed
Like burnished brass, now drab and destitute.
I speak three languages, write in two, dream in one.
Many famous Malayalam works of Kamala Das published in her Pseudonym MadhaviKutty. As well as, Das changed her name to Surayya after her conversion into Islam at the age of 65. There was a stir that she was going to get married to her Muslim lover in 1990 and converted to Islam. She also wanted to enter into politics but failed to make a line.
